Heart Institute Research Program

The East Carolina Heart Institute Research Program (ECHIRP) is a collaboration among ECU's Heart Institute, Pre-Professional Advising, and the Department of Biology. After participating in the Primary Care Physician Shadowing Program, participant Mohammed "Sarim" Akbar came up with the idea of a more indepth experience that would pair prospective medical students with physicians to assist with research. Sarim coordinated representatives from the respective areas to bring this idea to fruition. The first cohort of students begins January 2012.

Participation in the ECHIRP is by a selective application process. Students must have completed a minimum of 42 semester hours with at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average. Students will complete an application, including a writing sample (students are given a reflection question), and will be interviewed by the selection committee. Three to five students will be selected each semester. Participation requires a two-semester commitment. Those students who participate will receive Biology elective credit (2 semester hours) for two semesters and will have the opportunity to present at a professional conference during their experience.